Govt Plans Safety Standards for E-Rickshaws

09 Sep 2025 CW Team

The Indian government is considering implementing safety standards for e-rickshaws in line with the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) to enhance road safety across the country, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Thursday.

Speaking at the 7th Edition of the FICCI Road Safety Awards and Symposium, the Minister for Road Transport and Highways emphasised that road safety remains a critical priority. He noted that India records nearly five lakh road accidents annually, resulting in approximately 180,000 fatalities.

"Of the 1.8 lakh deaths reported each year, nearly 66.4 per cent are individuals aged between 18 and 45," said Gadkari, highlighting the urgent need for better safety awareness, adherence to traffic regulations, and timely medical support for accident victims.

The introduction of e-rickshaw safety standards under a Bharat NCAP-like framework would mark a significant step in formalising safety norms for the burgeoning segment of urban and semi-urban transport. Gadkari's comments underscore the Centre's broader commitment to reducing road fatalities and improving vehicle safety benchmarks across all categories.

Infrastructure Transport

01 Sep 2025

Indian Railways Marks New Milestone with 4.5 km Long ‘Rudrastra’ Trial

Indian Railways has successfully conducted the trial run of Asia’s longest freight train, named ‘Rudrastra’, achieving a new milestone in cargo transportation, as per news reports. The 4.5 km-long train began its trial from Ganjkhwaja railway station in Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh, and travelled to Garhwa in Jharkhand. Covering a distance of 209 km in 5 hours and 10 minutes, it maintained an average speed of 40.5 km per hour. The train was formed by combining three long-haul racks, with ..

UltraTech Launches India’s First On-Site Hybrid RTC Renewable Energy Project

UltraTech Cement has operationalised a 7.5 MW round-the-clock (RTC) hybrid renewable energy project at its Sewagram Cement Works in Gujarat. The first-of-its-kind solution combines bifacial solar modules with trackers, wind energy and battery storage, co-located on-site, to ensure uninterrupted power for cement manufacturing without grid reliance. The project was executed in collaboration with clean energy solutions provider Gentari. Installed as a behind-the-meter system, it is the country..

Patna Metro Trials Successful, Red Line Priority Corridor to Launch This Month

Patna is set to roll out its first metro rail service later this month, with successful trial runs conducted on the Red Line priority corridor, the Patna Metro Rail Corporation announced.On 7 September, a metro train completed a test run between the Patna depot and Bhootnath station. Officials said the trials involved rigorous checks of rolling stock fitness, overhead electrification (OHE), and track alignment and stability to ensure operational safety and performance.The corridor from the New Pataliputra Bus Terminal to Bhoothnath has been designated as the priority stretch and will be the fi..